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Caleb Hanie Expects To Remain Manning’s Backup For Regular Season

Caleb Hanie at the Broncos scrimmage on Aug. 4 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High (credit: CBS)

DENVER (CBS4) – Former Colorado State University quarterback Caleb Hanie is back in Colorado and has been named Peyton Manning’s backup for the Denver Broncos this season.

Hanie stopped by CBS4 studios to talk about his role on the team and how he’s performed during training camp.

“It’s been a little up and down at times. Obviously I want to be perfect and master the offense,” Hanie said. “I don’t think I’m there yet but I feel like I’m throwing the ball better after the first couple of days, getting into rhythm with the guys, feeling out the offense a little bit. I think it’s coming along.”

Hanie said he was surprised by Manning’s accuracy in camp.

“I think that’s kind of what separates him. The mental stuff, obviously everybody knows about that, but the accuracy, I think, is very underrated.”

Hanie said the adjustment of playing behind Manning has been a bit easier than he thought it was going to be.

“Just as far as the terminology … there’s a lot more adjustments that you need make in this offense compared to the one I was in previously,” he said. “So that takes a little getting used to. There’s a lot more stuff done at the line of scrimmage … that part of it has been harder to catch on.”

Even though Hanie has been named Manning’s backup, he said he feels he’s still battling for a roster spot.

“You constantly are. You’re battling not just against the guys on your team, but against guys in the league that are out there. It’s a performance-based league and if you don’t perform you’re not going to be around.”

Hanie said he does feel confident he will be around and be the second-string quarterback when the season starts.

As a former Chicago Bear, Hanie also played behind former Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler. He said he’s previously been asked to compare the Manning to Cutler.

“They are just different style players. I think Jay’s a little more loose … as were Peyton, every minute he’s up there he’s trying to get better. There’s room for both of those types of guys in the league and Jay has been very successful doing it his way.”

Hanie said he looks forward to going back to Chicago to face his old team when the Broncos face the Bears in the Windy City for the first game of the preseason on Thursday.